Man City v Liverpool Tips

Premier League football returns on Saturday as Manchester City and Liverpool face off at the Etihad.

Both sides have accumulated 7 points from their opening three games and know a win at lunchtime on Saturday will send them top of the Premier League.

After months of speculation, apparent bids and transfer requests Phillipe Countinho remains a Liverpool player. The attacking midfielder featured for Brazil on international duty and is expected to be fit, but Klopp could stick with the same side that smashed 4 past Arsenal in their last outing. After all, only league leaders Manchester United have scored more goals in the opening three games than the Reds.

The Reds left it late to sign new boy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Arsenal man will probably have to settle for a spot on the substitutes bench on Saturday, though.

City on the other hand will be disappointed not to have added to their squad on Deadline Day. Alexis Sanchez and Jonny Evans looked to be heading north but deals failed to materialise.

Pep Guardiola heads into the game without Raheem Sterling. The attacking midfielder will miss the game against his former club after being sent off celebrating City’s late winner against Bournemouth. Captain Vincent Kompany could also miss the game, the defender failed to feature in any of Belgium’s World Cup Qualifiers earlier in the week – which doesn’t sound too good for the Blues.

Neither defences are particularly solid and with Aguero, Jesus, Silva, Mane, Salah and Firmino all expected to start goals look certain. Mane has been in excellent form and is 23/10 to score anytime, definitely worth a punt.

Klopp is one of few managers to have a decent record against Pep Guardiola. The German is unbeaten in his last three matches against Pep and I fancy the run to continue on Saturday. With both teams going well in the league I expect a close match at the Etihad with plenty of goal mouth action. For that reason I fancy both teams to score DRAW at 7/2.